January Trip to Nicaragua Part 2

Tuesday we held our big meeting.  It was held at the Barcelo Managua.  Jerry did a great job facilitating.

Attendees:  Father Castro, Jerry Seiro, David Rosas, Dr. McCann, Dr. Perrotta, Tina Perrotta, Sister Connie, Dr. Arguello, Dr. Mejia, Dr. Siu, Dr. Castro (Minister of Health), Chairman of Surgery at Mascota, Ottoniel Arguello and Mercedes Arguello, Owner of Lottery, Prominent Business Professional with assistant

Establishment of ENT clinic at Roberto Clemente Clinic

The group was very pleased with the announcement that, under the direction of dr. James Gaul, La Merced will establish an ENT service at the Roberto Clemente Clinic. 

The addition of orthopedic surgery

The group was very pleased with the announcement that Dr. James Trauger will be attending the mission to perform knee replacement surgery or make preparations to do so at the 2012 mission. 

Translators for June mission

Our Nicaraguan host doctors will recruit some translators from the Medical School in Managua. 

Construction at Roberto Clemente Clinic:

Jerry and Sister Connie are directing construction.. 

Perimeter walls will be erected to completely enclose the entire patient treatment area.  One additional air conditioner will be installed inside the wall containing the entrance of the treatment area.  The ENT room will be constructed toward the left, deep corner, adjacent the plastic surgery procedure room.  Construction will be completed prior to the June 2011 mission.

Timing of Mission

The mission will run approximately eight days.  The brigade will leave for Managua on Saturday the 25^th.   Members of the brigade will have the option to return to Salisbury on Saturday, July 2^nd or Sunday July 3^rd.  

Placement of orthopedic surgeon

The question was where to place Dr. Trauger.  After Doctors Arguello, Siu Mejia and Castro (Minister of Health) debated for fifteen minutes, the decision was made to table the discussion.  Jerry will instruct the group of physicians to agree on the location by a month’s time. 

Hospital Dental Care

Dr. Mejia has asked Dr. McCann to extend his services to the Mascota Hospital.  Dr. McCann has agreed to work one half day at Mascota during the week of the mission. 

Cultural Exchange

A prominent business professional proposed developing a cultural exchange program between the American and Nicaraguan students.  The two groups would share cultural traditions, including dance and other forms of recreation. 

Procuring additional O.R. time at Mascota Hospital

The host physicians have determined the most effective way for us to procure additional O.R. time this June is to arrive with an entire surgical team consisting of an anesthesiologist, circulating nurse and a fist assistant.  In addition, Dr. Sui recommends utilizing  two O.R. tables (treating two patients) simultaneously in one operating room, a practice that is common during medical missions. 

Providing primary care to a remote village.

La Merced has been asked to supply one or two primary care providers for half day clinic at a remote village.  Travel will take approximately two hours (round trip).  Dr. Arguello will visit the village in April or May to assess the needs of the people.

Funding the director of physical therapy clinic for children with cerebral palsy

Father is asking La Merced to provide funding for a salary for the director of the physical therapy clinic.  This matter will be discussed with the Board.

Dr. Meja was presented a box of items for the patients at Mascota.  This box was sent to us from students at the University of Georgia.  Previous post.  Dr. Meja was very touched that the students remembered Mascota and took the time and money to send all these things.  We were too!